Wildlife of Atlantic Canada

Wildlife of Atlantic Canada

Go in search of dolphins, whales, moose and black bear as you explore the rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, alpine tablelands, magnificent national parks and pristine lakes and rivers of the oldest settled part of Canada.

What’s Included:

• Return flights to Halifax from London Heathrow
• 1 night in-flight
• 14 nights accommodation
• 15 days Intermediate car hire with GPS and additional driver fee

• Digby - Saint John ferry

  Sightseeing Activities

• Whale watch & nature cruise
• Moose watch tour
• Bear watch tour
• Comprehensive document pack

Day 1: Arrive in Halifax

Arrive at Halifax and collect your rental car. After checking in to your hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore.

Day 2 : Halifax

Enjoy a full day in the largest city in the region, it is home to 5 universities and several colleges and has the ambience of a lively university town. Ships, from tall ships to naval vessels, can still be seen in the harbour, and old warehouses and shipfitters’ shops have become part of the exciting boardwalk along the waterside. You may wish to visit Citadel Hill or explore the city from land and sea with the Harbour Hopper (not included).

Day 3 : Halifax - Liverpool / South Shore (140 miles)

Rocky harbours with hidden bays and islands have made Nova Scotia’s south shore a pirate’s and smuggler’s paradise for over 300 years. Tiny fishing villages cling to the ocean edge and white sand beaches stretch endlessly. Each day small lobster boats go out to sea and return with Nova Scotia’s most precious export. In Peggy’s Cove you will join a Marine and Sealife boat tour (included) - cruise past Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, navigate between the rocky islands to the fishing village of West Dover. Lobster, crab, flounder, and pollock in their natural setting are common sightings with our Live Underwater Video Camera. On the surface keep your eyes open for whales, seals, tuna, leather back turtles and sunfish. The tour gives you the perfect opportunity to take a photo of the beautiful Peggy's Cove Lighthouse from the water. Visit the elegant Chester, picturesque Mahone Bay and UNESCO World Heritage Site Lunenburg to name but a few of the attractive coastal villages en route.

Day 4: Liverpool / South Shore

Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct is known for seals and the most beautiful coastline. The 22 sq.km of protected wilderness on the Atlantic coast offers pristine white sand beaches, astonishing turquoise waters, coastal bogs, and an abundance of wildflowers, rich lagoon systems, and coastal wildlife. Explore the hiking trails, equipped with interpretative signs and telescopes.

Day 5: Liverpool/ South Shore - Digby (90 miles)

Drive through inland Nova Scotia and stop at Kejimkujik National Park which contains 380sq.km of forests, lakes and rivers. Rock drawings and an Indian graveyard are illustrations of an Indian life here that goes back almost 5000 years. The park is home to the greatest diversity of reptiles and amphibians in Atlantic Canada. Why not take a picnic lunch and enjoy a walk through a 400-year old hemlock stand or try canoeing on North America’s oldest canoe routes.

Day 6 : Digby – St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea (65 miles + ferry)

A ferry (included) takes you from Digby, Nova Scotia to Saint John, New Brunswick carrying you across the Bay of Fundy. Watch for whales and seabirds on the 3 hrs crossing. Saint John was founded in 1783 by refugees from the United States who wished to remain citizens of the British Empire.

Day 7: St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea

Today you are free to explore. Why not visit one of the famous islands nearby: Deer Island where you can see ”The Old Sow”, the largest tidal whirlpool in the western hemisphere, or Grand Manan where whale watching is possible. The Bay of Fundy is one of the best whale watching areas in the world with more than 15 types of whales and dolphins are regularly seen. A whale watch tour is included in your package!

Day 8: Grand Manan - Ludlow/Miramichi (175 miles)

Travel through New Brunswick’s small rural villages to the city of Fredericton, a vibrant riverside city rich in heritage, culture and nature where you can stroll along the river or explore the city by bicycle. Nearby Kings Landing Historical Settlement houses a re-created pioneer village. Follow the Miramichi - Canada’s most famous Atlantic salmon River. This modern road tracks an old lumberjack route through the forested heart of New Brunswick - explore the old wood covered bridges that cross the river or visit the Atlantic Salmon Museum en route. Arrive in Ludlow to enjoy a guided moose watch in the evening.

Day 9 : Ludlow / Miramichi - Richibucto (110 miles)

At Miramichi you enter an area that is home to French-speaking Acadians, descendants of the very first Europeans to colonize North America, who retain their distinctive culture until today. Kouchibouguac National Park encompasses 238 square kilometres of river estuaries, beaches, coastal forests and fields. It is the largest park in New Brunswick including 26 km of sand dunes along the Northumberland Strait. The salt marshes in the park are among the most productive ecosystems in the world.

Day 10 : Kouchibouguac National Park

Spend the day at your leisure at Kouchibouguac National Park. The area is know for having the warmest ocean water you will encounter on your trip. The Lagoons and salt marshes attract large number of seals and in season waterfowl, and Canada Geese can be observed.

Day 11 : Richibucto - Charlottetown (155 miles)

Explore the Acadian Coast of the region. Attractions include the historic theme park “Pays de la Sagouine” and the beautiful sand dunes of Bouctouche. A 13km long crossing of the Northumberland Strait on the ”Confederation Bridge” brings you to Prince Edward Island, with its endless sand beaches, tiny farms, and picturesque country roads. The colour contrasts of red soil, green fields & forests and blue sky and ocean make for wonderful holiday pictures. Prince Edward Island National Park protects miles upon miles of beautiful coastline and features a 19th century wooden farmhouse, famous as the inspiration for the classic novel “Anne of Green Gables”. Arrive in time to enjoy an evening in the vibrant city of Charlottetown, the provincial capital.

Day 12 : Charlottetown

Explore historic Charlottetown or enjoy some of Canada’s best beaches - ideal for recreation, long lonely hikes and the observation of wildlife, all within a short drive of the city.

Day 13 : Charlottetown - Baddeck (180 miles)

Catch the ferry to Nova Scotia (not included). River estuaries in this region are rich with fish which attract large numbers of ospreys that can often be seen diving for a meal. The rolling hills give way to wilder scenery as you enter Cape Breton Island, home to the highest population of bald eagles in Eastern Canada. Baddeck, on the shores of the Bras D‘Or Lake, is one of Eastern Canada‘s best known resort villages. It has become famous due to its most distinguished summer resident, the inventor of the telephone - Alexander Graham Bell.

Day 14 : Baddeck/Cape Breton National Park

The Cabot Trail is one of Canada’s best loved scenic drives and follows the impressive coastline from sea level up to an alpine plateau 500m above the sea. Waterfalls and swift running streams can be found near the road, and opportunities for seeing moose are excellent. Whales can often be spotted from the walking trails which overlook the coast.

Day 15 : Baddeck to Halifax (260 miles)

The Marine Drive leads through the forest at the head of the harbours and over low hills. Many excellent views are available from small side roads to the shore. Smoked Salmon and other seafood can be purchased and be taken home.

Please consider today’s driving distance when making flight arrangements.